TNI Bureau: Four Indian sailors were killed and another was critically injured after a Russian missile struck a merchant vessel near Ukraine’s port city of Odesa, marking the first reported deaths of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine war. The attack took place on Sunday as the vessel was leaving the Black Sea port.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the MV Golden Leo, a Turkish-owned merchant ship sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag, was carrying 17 crew members, including five Indians. A Russian cruise missile hit the vessel, triggering a fire. Four Indian nationals died in the attack, while one remains in critical condition in a Ukrainian hospital. One of the deceased sailors has been identified as Akhil Joyan (26) from Kerala’s Kasaragod district.

Ukrainian authorities said the strike was part of a missile attack launched by Russian forces. The incident claimed at least 10 lives, including nine crew members and a Ukrainian pilot involved in the search and rescue operation.

Expressing deep condolences to the families of the victims, the MEA said India’s mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible assistance. India also strongly condemned the attack, stating that targeting commercial shipping and endangering civilian crew members is unacceptable.

In response, the MEA summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov and lodged a strong protest over the incident, urging that civilian vessels and innocent seafarers should not be targeted during the conflict.